Some quick thinking by Sudbury hydro crews minimized what could have been a much longer power outage for a number of businesses and homes in the South end today.

A fire on a main hydro pole in front of the Northeastern Cancer Centre on Ramsay Lake road closed traffic off from Paris to the entrance to HSN until shortly after 11am.

Hydro spokesperson Wendy Watson says experienced crew members said initially they were looking at cutting off electricity to a small number of businesses and homes in the area.

The crews will remain there for the rest of the day because they have to dig another hole and put up a new pole, then transfer the lines to it.

As a result Science North will be without power but because of backup generators the tourist facility is still going to be open.